The_Miller_His_Son_and_Their_Donkey

The miller, his son, and their donkey.

This is the story of old John the miller, his son, and their donkey.

John the miller lived with his family in a cottage near a forest.

In winter, life was difficult for the miller and his family.

He couldn't work very much, so he didn't have much money.

And his family was cold and hungry.

When his friend finally came, the family was happier.

But the miller still had no money to buy food for his family.

And they were still hungry.

One day the family sat down for lunch.

What's for lunch, Mom?

Ask the miller's son, Jack.

It's potato soup again.

Replied his mother.

Isn't there anything else to eat?

No, there isn't, I'm sorry.

She said, and they ate lunch in silence.

Later that day the miller and his wife sat and talked.

We don't have any food.

Said the miller's wife.

What are we going to do?

I'll sell the donkey.

Said the miller.

Then we'll have enough money to buy some food.

That's a good idea.

Said the miller's wife.

I'll take it to the market and sell it.

Said the miller.

Old John decided to take the donkey to the market the next day.

So he and his son, Jack, got up early the next morning

and began to walk to the town with the donkey.

It's a lovely day for a walk.

The miller said to his son.

Yes, Father, it is.

The old miller and his son were happy.

This afternoon we'll have enough money to buy some food.

Said the miller.

Can we buy some fruit at the market?

asked Jack.

Yes, of course.

His father replied.

The miller and his son walked along happily.

Soon they met three girls.

When the three girls saw the old miller and his son,

they began to laugh and whisper to one another.

They whispered.

What's the matter?

Why are you laughing?

asked the miller.

Old John thought about it for a moment and then said,

You're right.

It's stupid.

Get on the donkey, Jack.

So Jack got on the donkey and then they continued on their journey.

A little later, a group of men walked towards them.

Young people today have no respect for old people.

Said one of the men.

You are right.

Said another.

That's not true.

Said the third.

Then the men saw Jack, the miller and the donkey.

They stopped talking and looked at Jack sitting on the donkey.

Look at him.

Said one of the men.

I told you, didn't I?

Young people have no respect for old people these days.

That young boy is sitting comfortably on the donkey and the old man is walking.

Yes.

Said another.

Young people are very selfish these days.

Then he said to Jack.

Get down from the donkey and let your poor old father ride it.

He must be very tired.

Old John looked at Jack.

Perhaps they're right.

He said, let me ride the donkey for a while.

So Jack got off the donkey and his father got on it.

Then they continued on their journey.

A little further along the road, they met a group of women.

One of the women stopped and stood in the middle of the road.

She cried.

You're sitting comfortably on the donkey and walking.

Look at him.

He's tired.

He can't walk as fast as the donkey.

Right.

Look at the poor boy.

Said another.

The kind old miller was upset.

He did not want people to think that he was selfish.

So he said to his son, Jack sit behind me.

We will both ride the donkey.

So Jack got on the donkey and they continued on their journey to the market.

The donkey walked very slowly towards the town.

It was midday and they were nearly there.

The miller was pleased.

The market is very busy at lunchtime.

We'll sell the donkey for a good price.

He said.

Then they met a shepherd with his sheep.

Excuse me.

Said the shepherd.

Is that your donkey?

Yes it is.

Said the miller.

It can't be yours.

Said the shepherd.

Why?

Ask the miller.

Because you're being very cruel to the poor animal.

Do you want to kill it?

What do you mean?

Ask the miller.

It's a very hot day and you're too heavy for the donkey.

The shepherd replied.

The poor animal is very tired.

The old miller was very upset.

He did not want people to think that he was cruel to the donkey.

The miller looked at his donkey.

He looked very tired and hot.

Oh dear.

He thought I can't sell the donkey if it isn't healthy.

We must carry it.

Very well.

Said the miller.

We will carry the donkey.

So the miller and his son got off the donkey and said goodbye to the shepherd.

And the shepherd continued on his journey.

Old John tied the donkey's legs together.

Then he tied the donkey's legs to a pole.

The miller and his son lifted the pole onto their shoulders

and carried the donkey to the town.

The donkey was very heavy and it was not an easy journey.

Finally the miller and his son arrived at the town.

It was busy and the streets were full of people.

Everybody came to the town on market day.

The miller and his son walked through the streets carrying the donkey.

They were very hot and tired but they didn't stop for a rest.

They wanted to get to the market square as quickly as possible.

Suddenly somebody shouted, look at those two.

They're carrying a donkey.

Everybody ran to see this strange sight and people began to laugh at the miller and his son.

Slowly they carried the donkey through the streets of the town towards the market square.

Everybody watched them and clapped loudly.

Soon they came to a bridge.

They had to walk across the bridge to the market square.

A crowd of people followed them onto the bridge.

They laughed and shouted.

Three careful children dropped the donkey.

The donkey was very frightened.

It didn't like the noise and it didn't like the crowd of people.

The donkey started to kick.

It kicked so hard that it fell off the pole.

Everybody stopped laughing.

Look!

They shouted.

We've fallen to the river.

The donkey fell into the river and the old miller was very upset.

Oh come on Jack.

Let's go home.

We don't have anything to sell here.

He said.

So the old miller and his son Jack walked slowly home.

I was very stupid today.

Thought the miller.

Now I have no donkey and no money from the sale.

And he was very angry with himself.

I was very stupid today.

I tried to please everyone.

The miller said to his son.

Awwww.